Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun

There's no debate, Craig Anderson will start in goal for the Senators Friday night.

Anderson allowed six goals in a 7-3 loss to the high-flying Pittsburgh Penguins Wednesday. But for the first two periods, especially the first, he kept the Senators in the game.

When asked if there was any question in his mind if Anderson should start Friday night, Senators coach Paul MacLean replied: "None."

"Andy played fine," said MacLean. "The play of our goaltender allows us to play with a certain amount of freedom, but at the same time we have to play for him, too."

His teammates have their starting goalie's back.

"Andy's stood on his head, he's been phenomenal, he's done great things all year," said Jason Spezza. "He gives us a chance to win every night. To expect him to make save after save from point-blank range is unrealistic. We have to do a better job of keeping them on the outside and taking some of the heat off him."